In this interfaith panel we will explore how faith and the afterlife is thought about in Judaism and Buddhism.

Rabbi Jacqueline Ninio was born in Adelaide in 1967. She attended Adelaide University where she completed a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Law degree. Rabbi Ninio then attended Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion where she obtained a Master of Arts in Hebrew Letters and rabbinic ordination in 1998, making her the seventh Australian-born progressive rabbi and the third Australian-born female rabbi. Rabbi Ninio joined Emanuel Synagogue in 1998 and was the congregation’s first female rabbi. She is interested in the areas of midrash and liturgy and has a passion for storytelling. During her sabbatical in 1995 Rabbi Ninio studied Jewish folk stories and storytelling. Rabbi Ninio has established a women’s Rosh Chodesh group, and a number of child-focused celebrations and events such as Shabbat tot. Rabbi Ninio believes in the centrality and importance of community, and providing a place where people feel valued, included and treasured. Rabbi Ninio is married and has one child.

Wendy Wright B.App.Sc. (OT), M.App.Sc. (Soc.Ec.), is a pastoral care practitioner at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney. She also has a private practice offering services based on the practices of mindfulness and compassion. Wendy has practiced and studied these methods for 30 years. For seven months in both 2008 and 2009 Wendy trained in the study and practice of authentic Buddhist teachings on meditation, mind, compassion and wisdom at the Rigpa Institute of Wisdom and Compassion in France.